Home ownership is a major financial investment. Maintaining your home is a daily commitment that helps to protect your investment and ensures that you and your family are living in the safest environment possible. Over the years, routine home maintenance will save you time, money, and effort.

Raising small poultry flocks on the farm or in the backyard has become very popular. The most important things to remember when choosing the type of housing are provisions for adequate shelter from weather, adequate ventilation and also protection from predators.
You should choose housing that is easy to build from readily available materials. Housing should also have a low maintenance cost and support the changing needs of your flock.

Events that cause negative stress are known as traumatic events. According the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic events are “marked by a sense of horror, helplessness, serious injury or the threat of serious injury or death…and affect survivors, rescue workers, and the friends and relatives of victims who have been involved.”

The most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that about 70 million adults in the United States, or 1 in 3 individuals, have high blood pressure. This number may be larger than we realize if we consider that an additional 1 in 3 adults have prehypertension or higher than normal blood pressure numbers.

Often times there are many warnings about the hazards that happen when the temperature turns cold. But did you know that there are actually some benefits too?
We tend to be more social. When the nights are longer and colder, people tend to reach out to friends and family more often. In fact, one study found that people actually talked on the phone longer during bad weather. So if you are stuck inside, call up a friend or family member and chat away!

Farm vehicle license plate renewal is just around the corner. As you purchase or renew your tags this year, please consider making the $10 donation on each licensed vehicle to support 4-H and help make the best young people better.